Banana Wafer Cake Recipe

The Magical Banana Wafer Cake Recipe Everyone Talks About

Whipping up a delectable banana wafer cake can transport you to sweet memories of childhood treats.

Crisp wafers layered with creamy banana goodness create a dessert that’s irresistibly nostalgic.

Soft bananas blend perfectly with crunchy textures, making each bite a delightful surprise.

Home bakers adore this simple yet impressive recipe that requires minimal kitchen skills.

No complex techniques stand between you and this mouthwatering dessert.

Layers of flavor promise a delicious adventure that will impress everyone at the table.

You’ll want to savor every single slice of this amazing cake.

Banana Wafer Cake That’s Soft, Sweet, and Nostalgic

  • Quick Family Delight: Perfect dessert that brings everyone together with minimal kitchen effort and maximum taste satisfaction.
  • No-Fuss Baking: Simple step-by-step instructions make this cake achievable for bakers of all skill levels, even novice home cooks can master this recipe.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Combines classic banana flavor with crunchy pecans and vanilla wafers, creating a unique texture that appeals to both kids and adults at gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend treats.
  • Time-Efficient Creation: Requires just 40-45 minutes of baking time, with straightforward preparation that takes less than 20 minutes, making it an ideal last-minute dessert option for busy households.

Baking a Banana Wafer Cake? Start with These

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter, Granulated Sugar: Key components for creating a rich, sweet cake base with tender texture.
  • Eggs: Provide structure, moisture, and help bind the cake ingredients together.
  • Mashed Bananas: Natural sweetener that adds moisture and deep banana flavor to the cake.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Standard flour for creating cake's structure, choose unbleached for best results.
  • Vanilla Wafers: Crushed cookies adding crunch and complementary vanilla flavor to the cake.
  • Pecans: Chopped nuts that bring nutty texture and rich, toasted undertones.
Flavor and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, classic sweetness.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out deeper cake flavors.

Banana Cake Wafer Style Bake Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350°F.

Grab a bundt pan and give it a generous coating of grease and flour to ensure your cake slides out perfectly.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and whip the butter and sugar together until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud of deliciousness.

Step 3: Build Flavor Layers

Gently crack eggs into the mixture, blending each one completely before adding the next.

Fold in those ripe, mashed bananas, creating a rich and moist foundation.

Step 4: Mix in Crunchy Goodness

Incorporate your texture-packed ingredients:
  • Crushed vanilla wafers
  • Chopped pecans

Gently fold these throughout the batter, ensuring an even distribution of crunch.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared bundt pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes.

The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Step 6: Cool and Unveil

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes.

Run a knife along the edges to loosen, then carefully invert onto a serving plate.

Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing into this delectable treat.

Cake Tips for Banana Wafer Desserts

  • Use softened butter or baking spray with flour to ensure the cake releases smoothly without sticking.
  • Process vanilla wafers in a food processor for uniform texture, preventing large chunks that might disrupt cake consistency.
  • Select ultra-ripe, nearly black bananas for maximum sweetness and more intense banana flavor in your cake.
  • Lightly coat chopped pecans with a tablespoon of flour before adding to batter to distribute evenly and prevent bottom settling.
  • Insert a toothpick at multiple points in the cake's center to ensure complete baking, avoiding underdone sections.

Banana Wafer Cake Storage Instructions

  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
  • Cover the cake with plastic wrap or aluminum foil before storing to protect its moisture and prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors.
  • Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds on medium power, or warm the entire cake in a preheated 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes to restore soft texture.
  • Let refrigerated cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and soften the texture.

What Goes With Banana Wafer Cake

  • Pair Creamy Coffee Delight: Brew a rich, medium-roast Colombian coffee with smooth, velvety texture that complements the cake's nutty and sweet banana flavors, enhancing the dessert's warmth and depth.
  • Complement with Caramel Drizzle: Top the cake slice with a luxurious homemade caramel sauce, drizzling golden ribbons that intensify the dessert's natural sweetness and provide a silky contrast to the cake's crumbly texture.
  • Match with Vanilla Bourbon Ice Cream: Serve a scoop of premium vanilla bourbon ice cream alongside the cake, creating a decadent combination where the creamy cold surface meets the warm, spiced cake, highlighting its banana and pecan notes.
  • Select Sweet Dessert Wine: Choose a late-harvest Riesling with honeyed undertones, offering a delicate sweetness that harmonizes with the cake's banana richness and provides a light, sophisticated finishing touch.

Banana Wafer Cake Dessert Variants

  • Gluten-Free Banana Wafer Cake: Replace vanilla wafers with gluten-free graham crackers or almond flour. Use gluten-free baking flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegan Banana Cake: Substitute butter with coconut oil, eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs. Use dairy-free margarine and plant-based milk alternatives for binding.
  • Nut-Free Option: Eliminate pecans completely or swap with sunflower seeds for crunch. Add extra vanilla wafers to maintain texture and flavor profile.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Replace granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Use very ripe bananas for natural sweetness and reduce overall added sugar content.

FAQs

  • What makes banana wafer cake unique?

The combination of mashed bananas, crushed vanilla wafers, and chopped pecans creates a rich, textured dessert that blends classic cake flavors with extra crunch and sweetness.

  • Can I substitute ingredients in this recipe?

You can replace pecans with walnuts or almonds, and use gluten-free vanilla wafers if needed. Just ensure measurements remain consistent with the original recipe.

  • How do I know when the cake is perfectly baked?

Use the toothpick test – insert a toothpick into the cake’s center. If it comes out clean with no wet batter, the cake is done. The top should also be golden brown and slightly firm to touch.

  • Why do I need to cream butter and sugar first?

Creaming butter and sugar incorporates air, making the cake lighter and fluffier. This technique helps create a softer, more tender cake texture by breaking down sugar crystals and blending ingredients thoroughly.

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Banana Wafer Cake Recipe

Banana Wafer Cake Recipe


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4.7 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Creamy banana wafer cake brings nostalgic comfort from grandma’s kitchen, blending layers of crisp wafers with silky banana cream. Dessert lovers will discover pure bliss in each delightful bite that celebrates simple ingredients and sweet memories.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 5 large eggs
  • 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup pecans, roughly chopped
  • 1 (11 ounces/311 grams) box vanilla wafers, finely crushed

Dairy and Sugar:

  • 3/4 cup (170 grams) butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/3 cups (267 grams) granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C) and meticulously coating a 10-inch bundt pan with grease and flour to ensure effortless cake release.
  2. Using an electric mixer, whip butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture transforms into a pale, airy consistency with a cloud-like texture.
  3. Introduce eggs individually into the creamed mixture, thoroughly blending each one before adding the next. Gently fold in ripe, velvety mashed bananas until uniformly integrated.
  4. Delicately incorporate crushed vanilla wafers and roughly chopped pecans, stirring with a light touch to distribute the crunchy elements evenly throughout the batter.
  5. Carefully transfer the batter into the prepared bundt pan, using a spatula to create a smooth, level surface that promises an even bake.
  6. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, monitoring until a slender toothpick emerges completely clean when inserted into the cake’s center.
  7. Once baked, allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes, creating a gentle transition from hot oven to cooling surface.
  8. Carefully loosen the cake’s edges with a knife, then invert onto a serving plate, permitting it to cool completely before slicing into delectable portions.

Notes

  • Crush wafers finely to ensure even distribution throughout the cake, preventing clumping and creating a consistent texture.
  • Opt for very ripe bananas with dark spots for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor in the cake.
  • Consider toasting pecans beforehand to enhance their nutty profile and add a rich, deeper dimension to the overall taste.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap regular vanilla wafers with gluten-free alternatives and use gluten-free flour when greasing the pan.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 325
  • Sugar: 27 g
  • Sodium: 85 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 41 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Emily Harper

Emily Harper

Nutrition Consultant & Recipe Analyst

Expertise

Healthy Recipe Modification, Nutritional Analysis & Meal Planning, Global Cuisine & Dietary Adaptations​

Education

School: French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

Program: L’Art de la Pâtisserie

Focus: Intensive training in traditional French pastry techniques, baking theory, and confectionery arts. ​


Emily’s journey started in a pastry kitchen but took a detour into the world of health and flavor science.
Graduating from the French Pastry School and studying nutrition opened her eyes to a new mission: making healthy food taste like something you’d actually crave.
At Dining At Home, Emily’s the go-to for smart, feel-good recipes that don’t trade flavor for nutrition.
She’s all about adding a fresh spin on old favorites and finding small ways to make everyday meals a little brighter.
Outside of the kitchen, Emily is most at home walking forest trails, testing plant-based recipes, or sharing a picnic under a wide-open sky.

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